Bilberry is a relative of the blueberry, and its fruit is commonly used to make pies and jams. It has been used for nearly 1,000 years in traditional European medicine.

Bilberry grows in North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

What It Is Used For:Historically, bilberry fruit was used to treat diarrhea, scurvy, and other conditions.Today, the fruit is used to treat diarrhea, menstrual cramps, eye problems, varicose veins, venous insufficiency (a condi­tion in which the veins do not efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart), and other circulatory problems.·Bilberry leaf is used for entirely different conditions, including diabetes.

How It Is Used:The fruit of the bilberry plant can be eaten or made into extracts. Similarly, the leaves of the bilberry plant can be made into extracts or used to make teas.